You know, the more I watch this video, the more I'm struck by the dehumanizing language used to describe "stupid people." Even the way the "stupid people" are drawn in caricature makes them appear less than human. Was this necessary? I believe Bonhoeffer's ideas could have been presented in a much more objective, scholarly manner than this. Instead, the videographer – clearly intentionally – used distinctly pejorative language and imagery to get his points across.
All in all, I have to confess I actually get a pretty sinister vibe from this video. I get that he's trying to show how otherwise regular folks can be turned into ideological bots who support despotic, genocidal political leaders, but ironically, when he not-so-subtly implies that society would be better off without a certain group of people who he believes are undesirable, he's in essence making an argument in favor of what is simply a different flavor of the despotic fascism he ostensibly opposes.
History is unambiguous in this regard: no matter what side of the political spectrum it comes from, dehumanization of "the other" is always the first step on the path to genocide.
Your thoughtful entries along this entire thread are excellent and appreciated and really sum things up rather fairly, thanks!
One of the things I also feel is a bit of a problem in the well-intentioned concept that Bonhoeffer summarizes, is the problem with using the term "stupid" to describe the group and individuals. Its epithetical tone unfortunately leaves room for (as you denote) reverse definitions, i.e. Who is to decide what or who is stupid, when I think his intention was to show that it should never (for example) be considered appropriate to throw rocks through windows of innocents.
So right about the video-editor's choice of graphics also!
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2021-11-13 04:24 am (UTC)All in all, I have to confess I actually get a pretty sinister vibe from this video. I get that he's trying to show how otherwise regular folks can be turned into ideological bots who support despotic, genocidal political leaders, but ironically, when he not-so-subtly implies that society would be better off without a certain group of people who he believes are undesirable, he's in essence making an argument in favor of what is simply a different flavor of the despotic fascism he ostensibly opposes.
History is unambiguous in this regard: no matter what side of the political spectrum it comes from, dehumanization of "the other" is always the first step on the path to genocide.
Don't go there.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-13 08:39 am (UTC)One of the things I also feel is a bit of a problem in the well-intentioned concept that Bonhoeffer summarizes, is the problem with using the term "stupid" to describe the group and individuals. Its epithetical tone unfortunately leaves room for (as you denote) reverse definitions, i.e. Who is to decide what or who is stupid, when I think his intention was to show that it should never (for example) be considered appropriate to throw rocks through windows of innocents.
So right about the video-editor's choice of graphics also!